Air Force pararescue jumpers, or PJs, set themselves some difficult tasks as part of Northern Edge 2006, according to Marine Corps journalist Lance Cpl, Ethan Hoaldridge. Alaska’s climate and terrain provided an excellent training opportunity for PJs visiting from the 31st Rescue Squadron of Kadena AB, Japan. Some of the Alaskan combat search and rescue crews got to play “victims” in scenarios such as one that had PJs jumping from a C-130 into the frigid Kachemak Bay to rescue three victims.
A combined Navy and Air Force program is seeking to build a smaller version of a ubiquitous air-to-air missile that could give advanced aircraft, such as the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, greater magazine depth in a high-end fight.